Awami Raj Party MNA Jamshed Dasti was released from District Jail Sargodha on Monday after his plea for bail in two separate cases was accepted by a Sargodha Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

The two cases pertaining to hate speech and water theft had been shifted to an ATC in Sargodha from Muzaffargarh.

Surprisingly, 150 lawyers had appeared in court to plead for Dasti's bail in the two cases.

Greeted by a crowd of his supporters after his release from jail, Dasti thanked the judiciary for taking note of his case.

"I offer my well wishes to the high court for taking notice of my case," a relieved Dasti said speaking to reporters outside jail.

"I can proudly say that the independent judiciary is not under the influence of anyone," he added.

Last week, Dasti, who was remanded for six days to police custody on June 23, had alleged that he was being tortured and starved by police in the Multan Central Jail.

A medical exam conducted by the Punjab government on Friday 'revealed' that no marks of violence were found during the MNA's examination.

The examination report, prepared by a board of five doctors from the local District Headquarters Hospital, had found there were no visible marks of violence on the MNA's body.

A Muzaffargarh police team had arrested Dasti in a case that Civil Lines police had registered against him back in his hometown.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Shahbaz Ahmed had allowed six-day judicial remand of the accused.

Dasti alleged that he had been framed and false cases had been registered against him. "I am not at fault, I am a poor man. They drag me and beat me," he had added.

Over all, there are 25 cases pending against Dasti in various courts.

Opinion

Editorial

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...